Sisters

 

In many ways their personalities are as different as their looks, but these sweet sisters sure share a special relationship. 

Easter Egg Hunt 2014

Catching up...

I know it has been a year away from blogging, but I am going to try and make some updates so we are ready to post about the exciting things in store for our family in the weeks ahead.

 

 

The Dahlia Park Easter Egg Hunt has been an important part of our family tradition from the time that Clara was one and excited to just find a lollipop and a "ball."  Now our wonderful neighborhood feels even more like family and the event is even more special.  For the first year both girls really knew what to do with the hunt part and we were able to just step back and watch them have a blast!

 

This year Clara & Davis were excited their friend Jake was able to join them in the hunt.

 

And Janie and Dylan (friends since birth) are so stinking cute posing together!

Spring Break at the Beach

 

Luckily the Fisher kiddos spring break meshed perfectly with our days off so they were able to join us for several days at the beach house.  The kids all played so nicely together and loved exploring the beach.  We took a drive down to Cape Meres and then stopped at Hidden Beach afterwards.  What an amazing surprise.  We hiked through a tunnel in the hillside and found a wonderful beach full tide pools and shore to explore.  It was so beautiful and the kids just kept (including Kevin & Cory) kept finding more and more adventure. 

Besties since 1st Grade! 

 The Fisher Family at Cape Meres - what a spectacular view!

Such great kids!  Hayden & Logan amped up the explorer spirit in Janie and Clara on the trip with lots of searching for treasure, running down the dunes, playing in the surf and climbing on the rocks!  Love watching these adorable kids grow up together!

 

Great Wolf Lodge with Keddingtons

With the unique half day Kindergarten schedule this year that included no school Wednesdays, we decided to take a mid-week trip down to Great Wolf Lodge and avoid some of the crowds.  Our last trip there was shortly before we got pregnant with Janie.  It was during Thanksgiving break and absolutely crazy because the facility was less than a year old.  While it wasn't exactly empty, going mid week was sure cheaper, and a lot more calm.  Luckily the Keddington Family was able to join us and the kids had a great time!

Having just spent hours on the water slides at Suncadia and being with her BFF, Clara was brave and went on all of the water slides her height allowed.  Janie was happier in the kiddie area, but big enough to not have to watch like a hawk there.  The Keddingtons rented a cabana so baby Jensen could nap and it proved to be a great meeting place.  The parents even got to get in a few runs on the water slides - SO Fun!!  We went pretty hard and one night stay seemed to be enough to wipe the kiddos out.  It wasn't long before they were begging to go back!

Suncadia 2014

Our family was in need of a bit of a distraction coming off of the winter and Kevin's boss offered us her place at Suncadia resort in CleElm for a long weekend.  I had been before with neighborhood friends, but it was Kevin's first trip and really the perfect low key get away to have some fun family time. We went on small day hikes and found some unique playgrounds at the resort.  The girls each found a little snow to tromp through.  Then we would head back to the condo for hot cocoa and games.  It was exactly what our family needed!

Clara the Daisy

 

Photo by RSutherland Photography

 

A group of girls that attend Challenger Elementary for Kindergarten, but will be transferring back to Grand Ridge next year were put together into a Daisy Troop.  Clara knew several of the 9 members before joining the troop, but has met some new friends and will be able to continue to build friendships, leadership and service skills with these gals in the coming years.  We are only starting to participate in some of the many activity options for local Girl Scouts, but each has been a good experience for our sweet girl.

 

The Friday before her birthday, Clara and Kevin attended the Father Daughter dance.  Clara was a little timid about dancing with Dad but liked seeing some friends and getting dressed up!

 

 

 

More recently, Clara participated in a World Awareness Day where each troop was responsible for educating the other troops about a country.  Clara's troop choses Canada and handed out maple cookies and Canadian flags. 

 

Now we are onto selling those yummy cookies and am sure Clara will have many more wonderful experiences as part of a troop!

Sweet Vantines ~ 2014~